Automatically primed siphon mechanism for flushboxes



Aug. 12, 1958 M. N. J. DELVOYE 2,847,022 0R FLUSHBOXES AUTOMATICALLYPRIMED SIPHON MECHANISM F Filed Feb. 25. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug- 12,1958 M. N. J. DELVOYE 2,847,022

FLUSHBOXES AUTOMATICALLY PRIMED SIPHON MECHANISM FOR Filed Feb. 25. 19542 Sheets-Shqec 2 liquid. When United States Patent'O" AUTOMATICALLYPRIME'D SIPHON MECHANISM FOR FLUSHB'OXES This invention relates toflushboxes andmore especially to the kind of apparatus which is fittedfor automatic periodical' primingso as to eflect at predeterminedintervals a flushing of pipe systems,.for instance for the flushing ofcontainers or the mixing or measuring of liquids :of different ki -v aIn the drawings affix ed to this specification and forming part thereofan embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically by way ofexample.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the front wall cut away.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, and

Figs. 3 to 7 are similar views illustrating various details ofconstruction.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a flushbox, 2 is its cover, 3 is afilling pipe in the cover and 4 is the flush pipe.

According to this invention, there is provided within the box 1 a siphontube 5 of U-shape which in this embodiment is a flat pipe ending in afunnel 6 and carries a stop member 7. The siphon tube 5 is pivoted at 8(Figs. 2 and 3) to a connecting pipe 8 which is mounted on the bottomplate of the box and into which the siphon tube 5 discharges. Theentering cross-section of the pipe 8 is equal to its exhaust section andforms a connection 9 between the siphon tube 5 and the flush pipe 4.

The pivot connection between the siphon 5 and the pipe 8 is tightlysealed by a membrane 10 of flexible waterproof material which is fixedto the top part of the pipe 8 and pressed against, and fixed to, a plate11 at the end of the siphon pipe 5. 12 is a counterweight fixed to thisplate.

A characteristic feature of this device is the float body 14 mounted bymeans of pivot pins 13 on the intake end of the siphon tube. The liftingpower of this body is greater than the force exerted by the weight ofthe siphon on the pins 13. The form and location of these pins is sochosen that the float, when empty, floats on the filled and surroundedby air, the float is in a state of unstable equilibrium causing it topivot on the pins 13.

The air-filled float proper extending longitudinally of one side of theopen float surface serves for keeping this surface above the level ofthe liquid when the body 14 is immersed. If necessary, more than onefloat may be arranged around the intake pipe of the siphon. A check 15extending over the entire width of the box 1 limits the lifting movementof the device and determines the highest liquid level.

This device operates as follows. i

The box 1 is filled by a predetermined quantity of liquid streaming inwhich can move in as rapidly or slowly as desired, even in a drop bydrop manner. While the box is empty, the different parts occupy thepositions shown in Fig. 4. When the liquid level rises in the box, thefloat 15 is lifted and rocks the float body 14 which then assumes theposition shown in Fig. 5. From that point on the lifting power of thebody 14, which remains empty,

of the apparatus with part 2,847,022 .P at e nted Aug. 12, 1958 sufficesfor lifting the tube 5 and its'spivots on the member8 on thelexhaust.side. iWhile the liquid. levelrises further, the body 14 meets thecheckl15' which arrests it (Fig. 6).- However, since the liquid levelcontinues rising, the liquid issuing from 3 flushes the body 14:andremoves itsi carrying power. Under the weight of the liquid whichfillssthe, body 14, the combined 's'iphonS and body 14 are forced tosubmerge in the liquid and the box is now filledcompletely.

The siphon immersedjin the-liquidnowiprimes itself irremediably (Fig.:7) and theliquid. in the box flows,r as shown by the arrows,,,towardthe. discharge pipe 4 -so.that

the box is rapidly emptied]Thebody 14,;which, when full, is in a stateof unstable equilibrium when surrounded by air,,is emptied alsoentirelyand rocks back into: the position shown in Fig. 4. The apparatushas now-returned to its initial position, and since 'new liquid streamsin continually, anew period of action beginsautomatically. It is thefixe check 15 which determines exactly the 1 liquid'level in he. hex 11-a Means may be provided for interrupting the functioning of theapparatus, for instance in the form of an arm 16 (Figs. 1 and 2) whichcan pivot on a shaft 17 mounted on a support 18 fixed on the cover 2 andcarrying a hook 19 which extends into the interior of the box 1 and canengage a ring 20 on the tube 5. It is therefore easy to maintain thesiphon in the elevated position where it serves as an overflow. In orderto return the apparatus into working position, all that is needed is todisengage the hook 19 from the ring 20.

The new device distinguishes over similar devices hitherto known bybeing of simple design and still offering entire security of working. Itis not exposed to getting dirty or to be worn out soon and does notpresent a mobile joint. It does not require attendance and functionsprecisely at any filling speed. It is fit to be used for all purposesand for smallest and greatest outputs.

By simply hanging up the siphon in its top position, it will serve asoverflow until it is set free again and starts again workingautomatically. No priming by hand is required to start it functioning,no liquid seal is provided and its operation may be discontinued for anydesired period of time. As soon as it is filled again, it will resumeits automatic cycle of operations.

The two pivot members on the siphon tube and on the float, respectively,are not subject to excessive wear nor do they have any detrimentalinfluence on the operation of the apparatus, because (1) the movementexecuted by the pivots is negligible, and (2) any play of the pivotswould not in any way influence the operation.

Liquids charged with solid matter may be handled by the device aseasily'as pure liquids without any danger of deposits forming so as todisturb the operation, because there is no conduit present excepting thesiphon.

No failure can occur as long as the box is not damaged. If it should bedamaged, the liquid level in the box cannot rise above the siphon whichacts as an overflow, and the box can easily be emptied altogether byhanging up the siphon in top position until it is filled. Afterdisengagement the siphon will at once start working again.

The ring which serves for hooking up the siphon, remains always free ofthe liquid and the release level always remains constant.

If it is desired to be able to throw the apparatus in and out by remotecontrol, an electromagnet can be used which is set operating by means ofa push-button, to set off as many flushings as required. With the aid ofa clockwork mechanism the device can be timed at will.

If no electric current is available, a simple clockwork set for anypredetermined moment can be used.

Any standard installation can be provided with the dcayiceiandsnoparticulariprecision of working is required. I -I11cidcicescanibeifixedtiniplacetorttheibracket vcarrying the flush pipe andnothing but the liquid supply tube need be connected.

orderstotohtain a thoroughi emptyingofcthe box, a .adiainingltrapai'nayLbeiprovidedt-at .the bottom of: the box t-viassshowniatIILinuFig. :21. 1 i -i Lavish it. to .be,-1iiiderstood-.=that :L do not;.desire r to -be nlimited tor theikietailsidescribed in.the foregoingspecificaalieniandgillustra'tedinithe drawings tfor obvious modificaa;tiontyvilli accurate a-lper son skilled inithe art.

-; Liclaimzzl v I 1 1. Automatic liquid dispensergof thegkindincluding a.utank scmitinuously: supplied withliquid, and a substanasiallyuueshapedsiphonpivotally supported=.in said tank ittandslinked' atsone-end,tto-the discharge conduit of the dank ,cdlhprising inZconibination;-asiphon in the form ao'f. a-sflat. tube oft-substantiallyrectangularsection, the ssfree endizoi'zf said ssiphon tubebeingsubstantiallyfunnelashaped, as float-including a container portionfopen at the .stop,iandia floatationisupporting portion integral withsaid icontairieri-ptuition,pivotallyct5nnected I with said siphon, acheck mounted in the top portion of said tank, said ,floatebeingcadaptedwtoebe pivotally displaced', at thestart of the tankfilling operation, into its floating positionand to pivotally displacesaid siphon until, as the liquid leve on the siphon, whereby to arrestth esiphon in a fixed position by interengagement of said fasteningmeans.

QRe fe l' enCfiS Qited in the fileof this patent :UNITE ST TES' BATENTS306,523 Read *Qct. "14,1884 317,505 "Chaplin ;May 12', 1885 425,859Butler -A r. 15,1390

" 2,169,845 MeB1zide Aug; 15,1939

